Arne Slot's 'initial thoughts' on Liverpool squad as move branded 'not that easy to make'

Liverpool legend Dirk Kuyt believes Arne Slot is "very happy" with his current squad and will be "trying everything" to keep them together.

There's been much talk of what could happen in Slot's first pre-season campaign at Liverpool but with the Dutchman overseeing a very quiet transfer window so far, Kuyt doesn't think there will be too many changes when it comes to playing personnel. However, the former Reds striker thinks there needs to be an injection of fresh blood in the defence and midfield.

The former Feyenoord forward also believes Slot won't dip into the market for the sake of it but that the new Reds chief will know exactly what Liverpool need. However, Kuyt has identified one player who could improve Liverpool in the shape of Dutch international Lutsharel Geertruida and believes the defender could overcome the difficulties of moving from the Eredivisie to the Premier League.

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Kuyt exclusively told Ladbrokes 1-2-Free that the Reds need a few reinforcements but any new signings will entirely depend on who leaves the club. "I think Liverpool could do with strengthening in defence, and in midfield. But a lot will depend on who will be leaving the club because then you can see exactly what you need to bring in," he said.

"That being said, if not many players leave this summer, I don't think Arne will change too much. If he's going to buy, he'll know what this team needs, and I'm sure he'll only bring in something the team doesn't already have. But we have a pretty decent team, and I think Arne is very happy with the players who are already there, and I think he's trying everything to keep as many players in as possible."

Regardless of Liverpool's low-key start to pre-season, one player Liverpool have been linked with is Feyenoord's Geertruida. The 23-year-old, who worked under Slot in the Eredivisie, is currently on duty with the Netherlands at Euro 2024 but that hasn't stopped the Reds being linked with the versatile defender.

Despite Kuyt's reservations about the gulf in quality between the two leagues, he is a firm believer that when it comes to any of Slot's former players joining him at Liverpool, Geertruida could be the one to make it big in the Premier League. "The level from Holland to England is at least two steps higher, so it's not easy to make that move," Kuyt said.

"So when you're talking about Feyenoord players joining Arne at Liverpool, I think Lutsharel Geertruida is the one, really, who would be able to make that move." he added. Kuyt has also claimed that Geertruida's attributes make him a smart fit for Liverpool, hyping the young Dutchman's strength and stamina and claiming he's ready to make the jump to the Premier League.

"Lutsharel is someone I'd love to see playing in the Premier League; I really think he'd fit into English football. He has great stamina, he's great on the ball, he's physically strong, he's capable of making the step up to the Premier League.

"I'm asked a lot about players who I think are good enough to step up to the level of Liverpool, or the Premier League in general, from Holland, and Lutsharel is definitely one of them. Hopefully, he has the chance, one day, to play in the Premier League - and hopefully that's in a Liverpool shirt."

Jurgen Klopp famously did not win a trophy at Liverpool until the Champions League in the 2018/2019 season, but the fact Liverpool were making finals during that barren period gave fans encouragement that they were on the right track. However, Kuyt knows that the glut of silverware that then followed Liverpool's big win in Madrid means the pressure on Slot will be intense from day one and he is under no illusion that a season without a trophy for the Reds will not equal a "satisfying" campaign.

"At the end of the day, if Liverpool don't win a trophy of some sort this season, I don't think you could say it's been a satisfying campaign. That means there is pressure on Arne Slot, for sure, because there's always pressure when you're managing a big club like Liverpool," said Kuyt.

He also echoed the thoughts of many around Anfield by declaring how "strange" it feels to have a new man in the dugout after nine years of Klopp but has maintained the new boss will be welcomed with open arms by the fans, "It's going to be a bit strange for everyone, to be honest, having a new manager at Liverpool," Kuyt added. "But we know that the supporters are always behind their team, and they're always behind their manager. I've no doubt that will be the case for Arne Slot, too."